Enforced by APCOA Parking on behalf of Heathrow Airport Ltd
Received a Heathrow airport parking charge?
Heathrow Airport uses ANPR cameras at all terminal drop-off zones. A £5 drop-off charge applies per visit. Charges are enforced by APCOA Parking on behalf of Heathrow Airport Ltd. Upload your notice and we will check every legal angle — free.
Current drop-off fee: £5 per drop-off (Terminal drop-off zones)
Honest assessment
Heathrow drop-off charges are generally harder to dispute than typical private parking charges because the signage is clear and the legal authority is well-established. However, ANPR errors, payment processing failures, and keeper liability defects under POFA 2012 are still valid grounds.
Common grounds found in Heathrow charges
These are the most common legal issues we identify. Upload your notice and we check all of them automatically.
- ANPR misread — wrong vehicle registration captured by camera
- Charged for driving through without stopping (camera triggered on approach)
- ANPR clock error — time recorded does not match actual entry/exit
- Payment made but not linked to the correct vehicle registration
- Wrong terminal zone identified by ANPR system
- Keeper liability — NtK not served correctly within 14 days (POFA 2012)
How to challenge a Heathrow charge
- 1
Upload your charge notice
Take a photo or upload a PDF of your Heathrow airport parking charge. Include both sides if it arrived by post.
- 2
We check the law
We extract the key facts and check them against POFA 2012, the relevant Code of Practice, ANPR accuracy requirements, and your own account of what happened.
- 3
Get your free assessment
You receive an honest assessment of your grounds — including whether the charge appears valid. If you have grounds, we draft your appeal letter for £9.99.
- 4
Appeal to Heathrow Airport Ltd (then POPLA if rejected by APCOA)
We identify the correct appeals route for your specific charge and provide a tailored response letter covering your grounds.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Heathrow airport parking charge legally enforceable?▼
It depends on the specific circumstances. Airport charges are enforced under civil contract law. Even airport operators must comply with POFA 2012 if they want to pursue the registered keeper rather than the driver. ANPR accuracy is also a legal requirement. A free scan will identify whether your specific charge has defects.
What happens if I ignore a Heathrow charge?▼
Ignoring the charge may lead to it being passed to a debt collection agency and potentially a county court claim. We recommend getting a free scan first to understand your position before deciding whether to pay or challenge.
How long do I have to appeal a Heathrow airport charge?▼
Typically 28 days from the date of the notice. Check your notice for the exact deadline — these are time-critical and missing the window reduces your options significantly.
Can the airport take me to court for a drop-off charge?▼
In theory, yes. In practice, airport parking charges typically go to a debt collection agency first. If you receive a Letter Before Claim, you should respond within 30 days. We provide a Letter Before Claim response pack for that stage.
Check your Heathrow charge now — free
Honest assessment. We tell you if the charge appears valid. Pay only if you want the drafted letter.
Legal information only — not legal advice. For urgent matters, speak to a qualified adviser.
Other airports
Parking operators